Watchcase



Oct. 19 1926. 1,603,353

F. E. PIXLEY WATCHCASE Filed Feb. 16, 1924 Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

FRANK E. PIXLEY, OF ALTA, IOWA.

wAronoAsn.

Application filed February 16, 1924.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved watch case wherein an inner case is provided to contain the watch mechanism and is suspended within an outer case by means of resilient devices whereby shocks and jars are absorbed and injury to the mechanism is prevented.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved spring-suspending means for mounting a watch mechanism within a case.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved arrangement whereby the winding mechanism and the hands are carried by an inner watch case and are movable relative to an outer case within which the inner case is movably mounted.

Withthese and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a face view of a watch embodying my improvements. Figure 2 is a. section in a plane parallel to the dial. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the device onthe line 33 of Figure '2.

In the construction of the device as shown the numeral 10 designates generally an outer case, conforming substantially to the common form of watch case and provided with p a rear cover 11 and rim 12 carrying a crystal 13. The cover 11 and rim 12 in this instance are adapted to be mounted on the case 10 by means of screw-threaded connections,

but any suitable form of case may be employed. An inner case 14 is provided, which is of cylindrical form, of considerably less diameter than the outer case 10. The inner case 14 is mounted within the outer case and contains the watch mechanism or works (not shown). A winding and setting stem 15, provided at its outer end with a knurled head 16, is mounted in a tubular housing 17 communicating with a peripheral portion of the inner case 14 and extending slidably through an aperture 18 in the periphery of the outer case 10.

The outer case 10 is provided with an internal peripheral groove or rabbet in which is mounted a retaining ring 19, of substantially annular form but provided with an opening 20 for sliding passage of the tubular housing 17 of the winding and setting .it forwardly in the outer case. case 141s shown as formed with a circular Serial No. 693,377.

mechanism, which opening 20 is'in alinement with the aperture 18 of the outer case.

A plurality of spring tongues 21, in this instance six in number, are formed on or fixed to the retaining ring 19, and extend inwardly therefrom and bear against the eripheral wall of the inner case 14. The springtongues 21 may be cut out from the metal of the ring, as here shown, and preferably are formed on compound curves and have their inner portions substantially tangential to the case 14. The case 14 preferably is formed with a peripheral groove 22 within which the inner ends of the spring tongues 21 are seated, so that said tongues may not be accidentally displaced as to their engagementwith the case; The retaining ring l9 also is formed with a plurality of backing springs or spring tongues 23, in this instance six in number, extend ing substantiallyradially of the Watch case and engaging at their inner ends against the rear face of the inner case 14, and pressing The inner boss 24 on its rear face. The spring tongues 23 preferably are formed on compound curves and have their inner ends turned rearwardly adjacent the periphery of the boss 24 andbearing against said periphery, this arrangement permitting a movement 'of the boss past the ends of the tongues in any direction, upon occasion.

A separate dial 25 is provided, bearing the usual graduations and indices, and is mounted in a suitable manner .in theforward portion of the outer case, behind the rim 12 and crystal 13. "The dial 25 is of annular form, having a central opening of less diameter than the inner case 14, and the main shaft 26 projects through said opening, from the inner case, and carries the hour and minute hands in a position overlying the dial 25. A supplementary dial 27 may be formed on or fixed to the forward face of and cover the inner case 14 and be visible through and form a continuation of the annular dial 25, entirely filling the opening thereof; and said dial 27 preferably conforms in appearance to the annu-' lar dial so that the two have the appearance of being a unitary member. The annular dial 25 preferably is formed with an inwardly extending peripheral flange 28 at its inner margin contacting with the inner dial 'ited 27, and may also be beveled at its inner periphery as shown in Figure 3 to merge into the inner dial.

In practical use the parts are assembled as shown and the watch then is little different in appearance from the ordinary watch. However the inner case, containing the delicate watch mechanism, is protected against jars and shocks by its spring suspension within the outer case, being capable of limmovement in any radial direction against the action of certain of the spring tongues and'being returned to its normal position concentrically of the outer case when the force causing such movement is released. The spring tongues 23, in addition to assist ing in centering the inner case, also have the function of pressing the inner dial 2'? thereon against the annular dial 25 and minimizing the appearance of a joint between them, as well as serving to prevent the entrance of dust and the like.

In addition to the spring suspension of the works as shown and described, and the advantages arising therefrom, the improve ment has also the advantage of enclosing the mechanism in a double case, thus further serving to protect the same against the entrance of dust and other foreign objects, as well as insulating the same against changes in temperature.

' It is obvious that changes may be madein the construction and arrangement of parts, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. A watch case, comprising an outer case,

.an annular dial in the forward portion of said case, an inner case mounted within said outer case in contact with said dial and i of, an inner case mounted within said outer case, a smaller dial on said inner case extending across the opening of said annular dial, and yielding pressure devices in said outer case in engagement with the inner case and permitting limited radial movementthereof in all directions.

3. A watch case, comprising an outer case, an inner case therein, yielding pressure devices in said outer case in engagement with the inner case and permitting limited radial movement thereof, and a tubular housing adapted to contain a winding andsetting mechanism, said housing being connected with a peripheral portion of said inner case and extending slidably through the periphery of the outer case.

4. A watch case, comprising an outer case, a ring mounted in the outer portion of said case, an inner case mounted in said outer case within said ring, said inner case being formed with a peripheral groove, and spring tongues carried by said ring and extending within said groove, whereby said inner case is yieldingly supported for limited radial movement.

5. A watch case, comprising an outer case, an annular dial in the forward portionthereof, a ring mounted in the outer portion of said outer case, an inner case mounted in said outer case within said ring and cross ing the central opening of said dial, said inner case being formed with a central boss on its rear face, and spring tongues carried by said ring and engaging the rear face of said inner case with their inner ends contacting with said boss.

6. A watch case, comprising an outer case, an annular dial in the forward portion thereof, a ring mounted in the outer portion of said outer case, an inner case mounted in said outer case within said ring and closing the central opening of said dial,

spring tongues on said ring engaging the periphery of said inner case, and other spring tongues on said ring engaging the rear face of said inner case.

Signed at Alta, in the county of Buena Vista and State of Iowa, this 27 day of N ovember, 1923. j a I v FRANK E. PIXLEY; 

